Suite Spot: Hanford House Inn, Sutter Creek

Clockwise from left: Jack and Tamara Papazian, Sandra and Martin Schwartz eat breakfast as they chat at Element, the breakfast and lunch restaurant is located at the Hanford House Inn. They have been visiting the Amador County area for wine tasting for six or seven years. “It's like Napa used to be 40 years ago,” says Sandra Schwartz. less

Clockwise from left: Jack and Tamara Papazian, Sandra and Martin Schwartz eat breakfast as they chat at Element, the breakfast and lunch restaurant is located at the Hanford House Inn. They have been visiting ... more

Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle

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Top: The Gold Rush-era town of Sutter Creek is quiet looking out from inside Element, the breakfast and lunch restau
rant at Hanford House Inn. Above: Jack and Tamara Papazian chat with friends as they enjoy breakfast. The group has been visiting the area for wine tastings for several years.“It's like Napa used to be 40 years ago,” says one of the friends. less

Top: The Gold Rush-era town of Sutter Creek is quiet looking out from inside Element, the breakfast and lunch restau
rant at Hanford House Inn. Above: Jack and Tamara Papazian chat with friends as they enjoy ... more

Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle

Image 3 of 3

Jack and Tamara Papazian chat as they enjoy breakfast with friends at Element, the breakfast and lunch restaurant at the Hanford House Inn in Sutter Creek.

Jack and Tamara Papazian chat as they enjoy breakfast with friends at Element, the breakfast and lunch restaurant at the Hanford House Inn in Sutter Creek.

Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle

Suite Spot: Hanford House Inn, Sutter Creek

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Entering the hotel business in 2008 may have seemed risky to some. But for Amador County native Athena Padilla-Gordon, it was a chance to use the construction management skills she and her husband had gained after they met at the University of San Francisco. Hanford House Inn, the Sutter Creek bed-and-breakfast compound they renovated in stages, not only blends in with its Gold Rush-era surroundings but also mines a rich vein of modern comforts.

The appeal: Wine country chic with culinary charm. Behind the weathered brick facade, a glass of Amador County wine awaits at check-in; hot scones are delivered at 7:30 a.m. daily to the 12 hotel rooms and four cottage rooms, which also enjoy a hearty repast at the in-house, breakfast-brunch restaurant, Element. Many rooms offer fireplaces and heated bathroom floors — perfect for winter stays.

Good to know: Families or couples traveling together should book the Bungalow on Hayden, a separate two-bedroom, two-bath unit with a fully stocked kitchen (minus oven). Up to two pets may stay in the bungalow for a one-time $35 fee.